Rim Cleaning / Polishing

[toey]

Hi All. I have a Dodge Nitro with 20" wheels and I would like some advice as to the best method on keeping the polished chrome rims shining. I already use Meguiars hot shine on the tyre it self and gold class car wash. I believe that if the tyres and wheels shine it lifts the whole appearance of the car. Any help would be appreciated. Cheers from Australia.

[Andrew C.]

Re: Rim Cleaning / Polishing

You can use Gold Class Car Wash to clean the rims off (but make sure to to use the same bucket and mitt on the rims as you do on your paint) or if they are really dirty you can use the Hot Rims Chrome Wheel Cleaner and then if you want to polish them up you can use Hot Rims Chrome Polish. You really don't need to polish chrome rims that much as they should stay fine if you just keep them clean.

Go ahead and throw some NXT 2.0 wax on them to keep them protected and clean.

[Murr1525]

Re: Rim Cleaning / Polishing

I think you miised a 'NOT' in there....

[Shawn T.]

Re: Rim Cleaning / Polishing

I was thinking the same thing. I read it 3 times thinking "What is he talking about" before realizing that the not was forgetten.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Rim Cleaning / Polishing

Had me confused also.

[Tri-SS]

Re: Rim Cleaning / Polishing

I just applied a coat of NXT to my polished alloy wheels and because they are new(pulled them off for the winter with only 50kms on them) there wasn't much noticable difference in the finish. Sooooo, I thought I needed a challenge. I have a TBSS with 20" polished alloys that have 2 winters on them and are in need of a major tune up. I though I would try the 3 step Deep Crystal System. I applied Step 1 Paint Cleaner with an orbital buffer and finished up with a foam pad in the tight areas, took of the product with a micofibre cloth. Big improvement. The applicator pad was getting quite dirty. Step 2 Polish was applied with a terry cloth pad and removed with a different microfibre cloth. Step 3 Carnauba Wax was applied with a different terry cloth pad and removed with yet another microfibre cloth. I finished up with a microfibre pad on the buffer. Except for the winter damage the rims look amazing. Very reflective.

I read on another post that you should leave the wax on for an hour to really cure. I might try that and see if the shine improves. Can anyone tell me how long to leave Step 1 & 2 on (I took it off right away)

[Andrew C.]

Re: Rim Cleaning / Polishing

I think you miised a 'NOT' in there....

I was thinking the same thing. I read it 3 times thinking "What is he talking about" before realizing that the not was forgetten.

Had me confused also.

Haha sorry guys, I meant make sure not to use the same bucket and wash mitt.

[roushstage2]

Re: Rim Cleaning / Polishing

I just applied a coat of NXT to my polished alloy wheels and because they are new(pulled them off for the winter with only 50kms on them) there wasn't much noticable difference in the finish. Sooooo, I thought I needed a challenge. I have a TBSS with 20" polished alloys that have 2 winters on them and are in need of a major tune up. I though I would try the 3 step Deep Crystal System. I applied Step 1 Paint Cleaner with an orbital buffer and finished up with a foam pad in the tight areas, took of the product with a micofibre cloth. Big improvement. The applicator pad was getting quite dirty. Step 2 Polish was applied with a terry cloth pad and removed with a different microfibre cloth. Step 3 Carnauba Wax was applied with a different terry cloth pad and removed with yet another microfibre cloth. I finished up with a microfibre pad on the buffer. Except for the winter damage the rims look amazing. Very reflective.

I read on another post that you should leave the wax on for an hour to really cure. I might try that and see if the shine improves. Can anyone tell me how long to leave Step 1 & 2 on (I took it off right away)

Step 1 and 2 should be removed immediately, while the wax only needs to stay on until it dries, then it can be removed. The "curing" takes places well after the excess has dried and been removed. Don't rub or disturb the surface for at least 24 hours if possible. That is the optimal cure time.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Rim Cleaning / Polishing

Hi toey, and welcome to MOL!

Hi All. I have a Dodge Nitro with 20" wheels and I would like some advice as to the best method on keeping the polished chrome rims shining. I already use Meguiars hot shine on the tyre it self and gold class car wash. I believe that if the tyres and wheels shine it lifts the whole appearance of the car. Any help would be appreciated. Cheers from Australia.

Are you absolutely, 100% positive these are chrome wheels? We've seen too many people purchase highly polished, bare aluminum wheels only to damage them by using a chrome wheel cleaner on them. Aluminum is very delicate while chrome is super strong, but aluminum can be polished to the point it looks like chrome - and that's what trips people up.

[delig8]

Re: Rim Cleaning / Polishing

Hi toey, and welcome to MOL!



Are you absolutely, 100% positive these are chrome wheels? We've seen too many people purchase highly polished, bare aluminum wheels only to damage them by using a chrome wheel cleaner on them. Aluminum is very delicate while chrome is super strong, but aluminum can be polished to the point it looks like chrome - and that's what trips people up.

Michael: What would you recommend to use for cleaning/polish/wax on 18" Aluminum Tires

[roushstage2]

Re: Rim Cleaning / Polishing

For polished aluminum wheels (I'm assuming "tires" was a typo):

Wash with car soap or Hot Rims Aluminum Wheel Cleaner.
Polish with Hot Rims Mag & Aluminum Polish
Wax with a synthetic wax like NXT, if you really want to wax them.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Rim Cleaning / Polishing

For polished aluminum wheels (I'm assuming "tires" was a typo):

Wash with car soap or Hot Rims Aluminum Wheel Cleaner.
Polish with Hot Rims Mag & Aluminum Polish
Wax with a synthetic wax like NXT, if you really want to wax them.

Sounds about right

Provide, of course, these are bare polished aluminum wheels, and not clear coated. If they have a clear coat on them, skip the Hot Rims Mag & Aluminum Polish and either go straight to the wax, or use a good cleaner wax on them instead. The Hot Rims Mag & Aluminum Polish is only intended for use on bare metal.